Ludwig van Beethoven's piano works

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Ludwig van Beethoven's piano works are of epoch-making importance in piano literature. Beethoven was an excellent pianist himself, who either performed many of his works himself or wrote them for schoolchildren to rehearse with them. This article lists the works for solo piano and works for piano with orchestra.

Piano sonatas

Without the three early sonatas from Bonn that are not part of the canon, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote a total of 32 sonatas for piano . They are among the most important works in piano literature. According to Hans von Bülow's famous assessment, it is also known as the “New Testament” of piano literature; the "Old Testament" of the piano literature is the Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach .

First group: Nos. 1–11 (Opus 2 - Opus 22)

Three piano sonatas op.2 (1795)

The sonatas are dedicated to Joseph Haydn .

Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1
  1. Allegro
  2. adagio
  3. Menuetto / Trio: Allegretto
  4. Prestissimo
It is sometimes referred to as the small appassionata . However, the similarities are largely limited to the identical key. A typical feature of Beethoven's music becomes clear in the first movement: a rhythmic motif ( dotted quarter followed by sixteenth- note triplet ) runs through the entire movement. The clear accentuation and sudden dynamic fluctuations are also characteristic of Beethoven's music. Beethoven dedicated this sonata to Joseph Haydn, his teacher at the time in Vienna.
It was with this sonata that Beethoven performed in front of an audience for the first time. It still largely corresponds to the Haydn and Mozart model in its execution (classical sonata form, processing of the themes).
Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2 No. 2
  1. Allegro vivace
  2. Largo appassionato
  3. Scherzo / Minore: Allegretto
  4. Rondo: Grazioso
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3
  1. Allegro con brio
  2. adagio
  3. Scherzo / Trio: Allegro
  4. Allegro assai
This sonata exceeds the other two in scope. The first movement is reminiscent of a piano concerto - it contains two cadences , which underlines the virtuoso character of the work.

Piano Sonata No. 4 in E flat major, Op. 7 (1796)

Dedicated to Countess Babette von Keglevics .
  1. Allegro molto e con brio
  2. Largo, con gran espressione
  3. Allegro
  4. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso

Was called the Grande Sonate by Beethoven . In fact, it doesn't necessarily exceed its predecessor in length, but in internal size. Contemporaries called her the one in love - at the time of the composition Beethoven raved about his pupil Comtesse Babette von Keglevics, to whom the work is dedicated.

Three piano sonatas op.10 (1798)

The sonatas are dedicated to Countess Anna Margarete von Browne.

Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1
  1. Allegro molto e con brio
  2. Adagio molto
  3. Finale: Prestissimo
Piano Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 10 No. 2
  1. Allegro
  2. Allegretto
  3. Presto
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3
  1. Presto
  2. Largo e mesto
  3. Menuetto / Trio: Allegro
  4. Rondo: Allegro

Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 (Pathétique) (1799)

Dedicated to Prince Karl von Lichnowsky .
  1. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio
  2. Adagio cantabile
  3. Rondo: Allegro

Two piano sonatas op.14 (1799)

Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14 No. 1
Dedicated to Baroness Josefa von Braun.
  1. Allegro
  2. Allegretto
  3. Rondo: Allegro comodo
Piano Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14 No. 2
Dedicated to Countess Anna Margarete von Browne.
  1. Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Scherzo: Allegro assai

Piano Sonata No. 11 in B flat major, Op. 22 (1800)

Dedicated to Count Johann Georg von Browne-Camus .
  1. Allegro con brio
  2. Adagio con molta espressione
  3. Minuetto
  4. Rondo: Allegretto

Second group: Nos. 12-27 (Opus 26 - Opus 90)

Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 26 (1801)

Dedicated to Prince Carl von Lichnowsky, this sonata ushers in a new phase of Beethoven's piano art.
  1. Andante con variazioni
  2. Scherzo / Trio: Allegro molto
  3. Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un eroe
  4. Allegro

Two piano sonatas op.27 (1801)

Both have the nickname Sonata quasi una fantasia . The second is popular under the name "Moonlight Sonata".

Piano Sonata No. 13 in E flat major, Op. 27 No. 1
Dedicated to Princess Josephine von Liechtenstein .
  1. Andante - Allegro
  2. Allegro molto e vivace
  3. Adagio con espressione
  4. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 (Moonlight Sonata)
Dedicated to Countess Giulietta Guicciardi .
  1. Adagio sostenuto
  2. Allegretto
  3. Presto agitato

Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major op.28 (Pastorale)

Dedicated to Joseph Edlem von Sonnenfels .
  1. Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Scherzo / Trio: Allegro vivace
  4. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo

Three piano sonatas op. 31 (1801–1802)

The much-quoted saying of Beethoven after completing the Sonata op. 28: "I am not satisfied with my previous work, from now on I want to take a different path", applies to these three works especially for the work in D minor , which is nicknamed "The Storm" received. The three sonatas were published between 1803 and 1805.

Piano Sonata No. 16 in G major, Op. 31 No. 1
  1. Allegro vivace
  2. Adagio grazioso
  3. Rondo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 (The Storm)
  1. Largo - Allegro
  2. adagio
  3. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3 (The Hunt)
  1. Allegro
  2. Scherzo: Allegretto Vivace
  3. Menuetto / Trio: Moderato e grazioso
  4. Presto con fuoco

Two piano sonatas op.49 (1795)

These sonatas are easy works intended for piano students.

Piano Sonata No. 19 in G minor, Op. 49 No. 1
  1. Andante
  2. Rondo: Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 20 in G major, Op. 49 No. 2
  1. Allegro, ma non troppo
  2. Tempo di menuetto

Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 (Waldstein) (1803)

Dedicated to Count von Waldstein .
  1. Allegro con brio
  2. Introduzione: Adagio molto
  3. Rondo: Allegretto moderato - Prestissimo

Piano Sonata No. 22 in F major, Op. 54 (1804)

  1. In Tempo d'un Menuetto
  2. Allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor op.57 (Appassionata) (1804)

This sonata, regarded as one of the main works of Beethoven's piano art, is dedicated to Count Franz von Brunsvik .
  1. Allegro assai
  2. Andante con moto
  3. Allegro ma non troppo - Presto

Piano Sonata No. 24 in F sharp major, Op. 78 (1809)

Dedicated to Countess Therese von Brunsvik .
  1. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo
  2. Allegro vivace

Piano Sonata No. 25 in G major, Op. 79 (1809)

  1. Presto alla tedesca
  2. Andante
  3. Vivace

Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major op.81a ( Les Adieux - Das Lebewohl ) (1809)

  1. “Farewell”: Adagio - Allegro
  2. “The absence”: Andante espressivo
  3. "The reunion": Vivacissimamente

Beethoven dedicated this piano sonata to Archduke Rudolph .

Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90 (1814)

In our compilation, this sonata, dedicated to Count Moritz von Lichnowsky, represents the end of Beethoven's second creative period; however, this is worth discussing.
  1. With liveliness and definitely with feeling and expression
  2. Not too fast and very singable to perform

The late piano sonatas: Nos. 28–32 (Opus 101 - Opus 111)

Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major op.101 (1816)

The “Little Sonata for the Fortepiano” is dedicated to Baron Dorothea von Ertmann .
  1. Somewhat lively and with the most intimate sensation (Allegretto, ma non troppo)
  2. Lively. Marching (Vivace alla marcia)
  3. Slow and longing (Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto)
  4. Quickly, but not too much, and with determination (Allegro)

Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106 (Great Sonata for the Fortepiano) (1818)

Beethoven dedicated his greatest piano sonata to Archduke Rudolph .
  1. Allegro
  2. Scherzo: Assai vivace
  3. Adagio sostenuto. Appassionato e con molto sentimento
  4. Largo - Allegro risoluto

Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109 (1821)

The sonata is dedicated to Maximiliane Brentano.
  1. Vivace, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo
  2. Prestissimo
  3. Singing, with deepest sensation (Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo)

Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110 (1822)

  1. Moderato cantabile, molto espressivo
  2. Allegro molto
  3. Adagio, ma non troppo; Fugue: Allegro, ma non troppo

Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111 (1822)

Beethoven's last piano sonata is dedicated to Archduke Rudolph.
  1. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato
  2. Arietta: Adagio molto, semplice e cantabile

Variations for piano solo

Beethoven wrote numerous cycles of variations, including:

Fantasy, rondos, bagatelles, miscellaneous

  • Fantasia op.77 in G minor (1809)
  • 2 Rondos op. 51 (1796–1800)
  • Alla Ingharese quasi un Capriccio in G major op. 129 ( The anger over the lost penny ) (1795–1798)
  • 7 bagatelles op.33 (1802)
  • 11 bagatelles op.119 (1820–1822)
  • 6 Bagatelles op. 126 (1823–1824)
  • For Elise WoO 59 (1810)
  • Andante favori in F major WoO 57 (1803)
  • Polonaise in C major op.89 1814

Piano concerts

Beethoven also wrote five piano concertos with an opus number and a fantasy for piano, choir and orchestra

First Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 15 (1795–1801)

  1. Allegro con brio
  2. largo
  3. Rondo: Allegro

Second Piano Concerto in B flat major, Op. 19 (1788–1801)

  1. Allegro con brio
  2. adagio
  3. Rondo: Molto allegro

Third Piano Concerto in C minor, Op. 37 (1800–1803)

  1. Allegro con brio
  2. largo
  3. Rondo: Allegro

The 3rd Piano Concerto occupies a special place among Beethoven's five piano concertos: It is the only concerto in a minor key and is characterized by its stylistic unity. In addition, there is the proximity to Mozart's Concerto KV 491 , which was thematically, formally and atmospherically a decisive starting point for Beethoven.

Fourth piano concerto in G major op. 58 (1804–1807)

  1. Allegro moderato
  2. Andante con moto
  3. Rondo: Vivace

Fifth Piano Concerto in E flat major, Op. 73 (1809)

  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio un poco mosso
  3. Rondo: Allegro

Piano Concerto in D major op.61a (1808) (transcription of the Violin Concerto op.61 )

  1. Allegro ma non troppo
  2. Larghetto
  3. Rondo: Allegro

Piano Concerto WoO 4 in E flat major (1784)

  1. Allegro moderato
  2. Larghetto
  3. Rondo: Allegretto

Choral Fantasy (for piano, choir and orchestra) in C minor op.80 (1809)

  1. adagio
  2. Finale: Allegro
  3. Allegretto, ma non troppo

literature

Web links

Commons : Piano music by Beethoven  - collection of images, videos and audio files